Hello and welcome to my 1st official Biography.
I grew up in a small town in rural Manitoba, Canada called Arnaud. This has always been a unique place to grow up as it’s a vibrant farming community with a population of roughly 100 people (including cats and dogs). I was raised up in a Christian home alongside my little sister (Melissa) by my two loving parents. As I progressed through my childhood years, I accepted Jesus into my heart and continued to mature and make decisions based on my understandings of right and wrong and this eventually led to my baptism in my senior year of high school.
In high school I went on a mission tip to Mexico. Since that uplifting and encouraging experience I had found my self at a stand still back at home as I was just waiting to get back “into the world”. I searched and prayed constantly for an opportunity to go overseas again and to see more of the world. I wanted to share with others the Good News and help out the needy wherever I could. I’ve always been looking for the next big adventure.
In the past number of years as I have searched and followed my heart, I have kept busy by traveling across western Canada and Guatemala, serving as a summer camp staff, working as an Outdoor Education Director, going to a one-year Outdoor Pursuits/Bible College, working as a youth pastor, and working on a BA in Youth Leadership and Outdoor Recreation.
I enjoy back country wilderness trips as well as anything else outdoors. My favorite pastime is still hockey or soccer. I cherish family time and I also live for exploring new places on my own. Life is fun and I feel blessed everyday that I wake up and get to do it over again!
I always need to be challenged, and I believe that’s what The World Race has in store for me. I’m an experiential learner and I know that this trip will stretch me in all areas of who I am. Spiritually, physically, and mentally. For the past number of years I have strived to live by Jesus’ words as recorded in Matthew 10:10
“take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or staff; for the worker is worth his keep” and I’ve found it very rewarding to live a simple lifestyle. God has provided me with jobs and ministry opportunities that I enjoy doing with all of my heart and I don’t have too much to hold me back. Even with the little that I do have, I’m still prepared to give away.
I’m not only ready to give away and minister to others, but to also be broken down and ministered to by others. It is Christ who strengthens me and it is because of Christ that I am humbling myself. We are called to be in likeness of Jesus himself, so I’m ready to take that on and live as a servant this next year. There is alot of unknowns and yet alot of opportunity. This trip makes me very excited and yet a little bit nervous. But I trust that God will line me up with amazing teammates and support that I need. This is the here and now, so we can’t let our fears of tomorrow hinder us for what lies ahead today!
“I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
– Mohandas K. Ghandhi
